Diploma in Occupational

Therapy

Neuroscience
OTNS 1113: Autonomic
Nervous System
(Topic 3)
 Learning Objectives
Explain autonomic nervous system.
State the differences between somatic
nervous system and autonomic nervous
system.
Explain the structure and functions of
sympathetic nervous system.
Explain the structure and functions of
parasympathetic nervous system.
Explain the effects of sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system on body
systems.
 Introduction
The peripheral nervous system subdivided
into:
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

The autonomic nervous system consists of sensory

neurons and motor neurons that run between the
central nervous system (especially the
hypothalamus and medulla oblongata) and various
internal organs such as the:
Heart
Lungs
Viscera
Endocrine and exocrine glands.
 Peripheral Nervous System

Cranial nerves Spinal nerves

Somatic Autonomic Enteric NS

Somatic Autonomic
NS NS
NS NS
Operate via reflex arcs

Autonomic Integrating Autonomic

Sensory Center in CNS Motor
Neuron Neuron
 ANS usually operates without conscious control
or without control by CNS

BUT- hypothalamus & brain stem do regulate

ANS reflexes
 Comparison Somatic and ANS
Somatic nervous Autonomic nervous
system system
Sensory input Somatic senses and Mainly from
special senses inferoceptors, some from
somatic and special
senses

Effector Skeletal muscle Cardiac, smooth muscle

and glands

Control of motor Voluntary control from Involuntary control from

output cerebral cortex, with hypothalamus, lymbic
contribution from basal system, brain stem and
ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord; limited
brainstem and spinal control from cerebral
cord. neuroscience1kskbsgblhvanicortex.
 Somatic nervous Autonomic nervous
system system
Motor neuron One neuron Two neuron pathway
pathway pathway

Neurontrans All somatic motor All parasympa and

mitter and neurons release sympa preganglionic
hormones ACh neurons release
Ach. Sympa
postganglionic
neurons release NE,
to sweat gland
release ACH. All
parasympa
postganglionic
neurons release Ach.
neuroscience1kskbsgblhvani
 Peripheral Nervous System

Cranial nerves Spinal nerves

Somatic Autonomic Enteric NS

Somatic Autonomic
NS NS
NS NS
Operate via reflex arcs

Autonomic Integrating Autonomic

Sensory Center in CNS Motor
Neuron Neuron
Continual flow of nerve
impulses from:

Visceral
1. Autonomic Sensory organs Give
in
Neurons input
Blood
vessels
Propagate into

2. Integrating center in CNS

Then impulses in Smooth muscle

Cardiac muscle output

3. Autonomic Motor Neurons
Glands
propagate to various effector tissues

Regulate activity of

Increasing (exciting) Decreasing (inhibiting)

 It is responsible for monitoring conditions in the
internal environment and bringing about appropriate
changes in them.
The contraction of both smooth muscle and cardiac
muscle is controlled by motor neurons of the
autonomic system.

The actions of the autonomic nervous system are

largely involuntary (in contrast to those of the
sensory-somatic system).
It also differs from the sensory-somatic system is
using two groups of motor neurons to stimulate the
effectors instead of one.
Most autonomic motor First cell body in CNS & myelinated
pathways consists of 2 motor axon extend from CNS (spinal cord)
neurons in series to autonomic ganglion (is a collection
of neuronal cell bodies in PNS)

Second neuron also in the same

autonomic ganglion its
unmyelinated axon extends directly
from ganglion to effector

Smooth muscle Cardiac muscle Gland

Some autonomic pathways first motor neuron extends to specialized cells

called chromaffin cell in adrenal medullae (inner portion of adrenal glands)
 Acetylcholine (Ach)

Autonomic Motor As
Neurons release neurotransmitter

Norepinephrine (NE)
 Sympathetic Division

Two divisions of Motor

Part of ANS
Parasympathetic
Division

Most organs have dual innervation

Sympathetic division will increase

the heart rate (excitation)
Eg: Heart Rate

Parasympathetic division will

decrease the heart rate (inhibition)
Motor neuron pathways
 Anatomy of Autonomic Motor
Pathways
The first of the two neurons in any autonomic
motor pathway is called a preganglionic
neuron.
Its cell body is in the brain or spinal cord, and
its axon exits the CNS as part of the cranial or
spinal nerves.
The axon of preganglionic neuron is a small
diameter, myelinated type B fiber that usually
extends to an autonomic ganglion, where its
synapses with postganglionic neuron.
 Anatomy of Autonomic Motor
Pathways
The postganglionic neuron, the second neuron in the
autonomic motor pathway, lies entirely outside the
CNS.
Its cell body and dendrite are located in an autonomic
ganglion, form synapse with preganglionic neurons
axons.
The axons of a postganglionic neuron is a small
diameter, unmylinated type C fiber that terminates in a
visceral effector.
 Preganglionic Neurons
In the sympathetic division, the preganglionic
neurons have their cell bodies in the lateral
horns of the gray matter in the 12 thoracic
segments and the first two (sometimes 3)
lumbar segments of the spinal cord.
Sympathetic division also called the
thoracolumbar division, and the axons of the
sympathetic preganglionic neurons are known
as the thoracolumbar outflow.
 Preganglionic Neurons
For parasympathetic division, cell bodies of
preganglionic neurons located in the nuclei of
four cranial nerve in the brainstem (III, VII, IX and
X) and in the lateral gray matter of the second
through fourth sacral segments of the spinal
cord.
Parasympathetic division also call craniosacral
division and axons of the preganglionic neurons
are referred to as the craniosacral outflow.
 Autonomic Ganglia
Two major groups of autonomic ganglia:
Sympathetic ganglia
Sympathetic trunk ganglia and prevertebral
ganglia

Parasympathetic ganglia.
Terminal ganglia (ciliary ganglion, pterygopalatine
ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion)
 Sympathetic Ganglia
The sites of synapse between sympathetic
preganglionic and postganglionic neurons.
Major ganglion ; sympathetic trunk ganglia and
prevertebral ganglia.
Sympathetic trunk ganglia lie in a vertical row
on either side of the vertebral column.
These ganglia extend from the base of the skull
to the coccyx.
Postganglionic axons from sympathetic trunk
ganglia primarily innervate organs above the
diaphragm.
 Sympathetic Ganglia
Sympathetic trunk ganglia in the neck called
superior, middle and inferior cervical ganglia.
Most sympathetic preganglionic axons are
shorter than sympathetic postganglionic
axons because sympathetic trunk ganglia
near to the spinal cord.
Prevertebral ganglia lie anterior to the
vertebral column and close to the large
abdominal arteries.
In general, postganglionic axons from
prevertebral ganglia innervate organs below
to the diaphragm.
 Sympathetic Ganglia
5 major prevertebral ganglia:
Celiac ganglion on either side of the celiac trunk, an
artery that just inferior to the diaphragm.
Superior mesenteric ganglion near the beginning of
the superior mesenteric artery in the upper abdomen.
Inferior mesenteric ganglion near to the inferior
mesenteric artery in the middle of the abdomen.
Aorticorenal ganglion and renal ganglion near to the
renal artery of each kidney.
 Parasympathetic Ganglia
Preganglionic and postganglionic neuron of the
parasympathetic division synapses at the terminal
(intramural) ganglia.
Most of these ganglia located close to or within the
wall of a viscera organ.
Terminal ganglia in the head are the ciliary,
pterygopalatine,submandibular and otic ganglion.
Parasympathetic preganglionic axons are longer than
parasymapthetic postganglionic axons because
terminal ganglia are close to the visceral organ.
 Postganglionic Neurons
Sympathetic division
Once axons of sympathetic preganglionic neurons
pass to sympathetic trunk ganglia, they may
connect with postganglionic neurons in one of the
following ways:
1. An axons may synapse with postganglionic
neurons in the ganglion it first reaches.
2. An axons may ascend or descend to a higher or
lower ganglion before synapsing with
postganglionic neurons. The network of incoming
axons collectively called sympathetic chains.
 Postganglionic Neurons

3. Without synapsing, an axons continue through the

sympathetic trunk ganglion to end at prevertebral
ganglion and synapse with postganglionic neurons
there.
4. Without synapsing, an axons may pass through
sympathetic trunk ganglion and prevertebral
ganglion and extend to the chromaffin cells of
adrenal medulla.
 Postganglionic Neurons
A single sympathetic preganglionic fiber has many
axon collateral.
This explain why many sympathetic responses affect
almost the entire body simultaneously.
After exiting the their ganglia, the postganglionic
axons typically terminate in several visceral effector.
 Postganglionic Neurons
Parasympathetic Division
Axons of preganglionic neurons of the
parasympathetic division pass to the terminal
ganglia near or within a visceral effector.
In the ganglion, the presynaptic neuron usually
synapse with 4 or 5 postsynaptic neurons, all of
which supply a single visceral effector, allowing
parasympathetic response to be localized to a single
effector.
 Autonomic Plexus

In the thorax, abdomen, and pelvic, axons of

sympathetic and parasymapthetic forms a
network called plexus.
Thorax- cardiac and pulmonary plexus
Abdominopelvic celiac, superior mesentric,
inferior mesenteric, hypogastric, renal
plexus.
neuroscience1kskbsgblhvani
Structure of the Sympathetic Division
 Sympathetic Division
Thoracolumbar division- Preganglionic neurons
originate from the thoracic and lumbar levels of
the spinal cord (T1-L2).
Sympathetic ganglia:
Sympathetic trunk (vertebral chain) ganglia.
Prevertebral (collateral) ganglia: celiac, superior
mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, aorticorenal and
renal.

Copyright 2009, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc.
 Sympathetic Division
A single sympathetic preganglionic fiber has
many axon collaterals and may synapse with 20
or more postganglionic neurons.

The postganglionic axons typically terminate in

several visceral effectors and therefore the
effects of sympathetic stimulation are more
widespread than the effects of parasympathetic
stimulation.

Copyright 2009, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc.
 Function of Sympathetic Division

Also called as fight-or-flight division

Its activities result in increasing alertness
and metabolic activities use for
emergency situation
 Eg: responses during;
Physical activity
Emotional stress
Rapid heart rate
Faster breathing rate
Dilation of the pupils
Dry mouth
Sweaty but cool skin
Dilation of blood vessels
 EFFECTS OF SYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Cardiovascular System
Increasing heart beat
Increase blood supply to cardiac muscle (dilate the
coronary artery)
Raised peripheral resistance and blood pressure by
constricting the small artery the skin. In this way
increase blood supply is available for highly active
tissue, such as skeletal muscle, heart and brain.
Constrict the blood vessel in secretory glands of
digestive system
Accelerates blood coagulation because of
vasoconstriction.
 Respiratory system
Causes smooth muscle relaxation and therefore dilatation of
the airways, especially bronchioles.
Allowing a greater amount of air to enter the lungs at each
inspiration, and increase the respiratory rate.
Deal with fight and flight situation.

Digestive and urinary system

Liver increase conversion of glycogen to glucose
Stomach and small intestine; smooth muscle contraction
(peristalsis) and secretion of digestive juices are inhibited,
delaying digestion and the tone of sphinxter muscle is
increased.
 Digestive and urinary system
Adrenal gland; stimulated to secrete adrenaline and
noradrenaline which potentiate and sustain the effect of
sympathetic stimulation
Urethral and anal sphincter; muscle tone increase,
inhibit micturition and defecation.
Bladder walls relaxes
Metabolic rate increase

Eye
Dilating the pupil
Opening the eyes open wide and giving the appearance
of alertness and excitement
 Skin
Increase sweat secretion, leading to increased heat
loss from the body
Contract the arrector pili muscle on the skin
Constrict the peripheral blood vessel increasing blood
supply available to active organs, e.g heart and
skeletal muscle.
Structure of the Parasympathetic Division

Copyright 2009, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc.
 Parasympathetic Division
Craniosacral division: Preganglionic neurons
originate from the cranial nerves III, VII, IX and X
and sacral spinal nerves S2-S4.
Parasympathetic ganglia: terminal ganglia.
Presynaptic neuron usually synapses with 4-5
postsynaptic neurons all of which supply a single
visceral effector.

Copyright 2009, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc.
 Function Of Parasympathetic Division

Referred as the rest-and-digest division

Its activities help in conserving and restoring the
body energy
Example:
digestive and urinary function.
body functions that support physical activity.
 EFFECTS OF PARASYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Cardiovascular System
Decrease the rate and force of the heartbeat
Constrict the coronary artery reducing the blood supply
to cardiac muscle
Respiratory
Produces contraction of smooth muscle in airway walls
causing their constriction, e.g. bronchioles and bronchi
 Digestive and urinary system
Liver: conversion of glucose to glycogen and secretion of
bile are increased.

Stomach and small intestine: Motility and secretion are

increased together with the rate of digestion and absorption
of food.

Pancreas: secretion of pancreatic juice and the hormone

insulin are increase.

Urethral and anal sphincter: relaxation in urethral and anal

sphincter, micturition and defecation occurs.
 Eye
Constricting the pupil
The eyelids tend to closed, giving the
appearance of sleepiness.